Obituary for Rocco Funiciello
Rocco Funiciello, 91, a longtime resident of Poughkeepsie, NY, peacefully passed away at home April 17, 2023, with his family by his side. Rocco was born October 14, 1931, in Alife, Caserta, Campania, Italy to the late Pietro and Lucia (Di Caprio) Funiciello. Besides his parents, Rocco was predeceased by his siblings Giacomo, Giovanna, and Sisto Funiciello.
In Italy, Rocco’s childhood was heavily impacted by World War II. After he came of age, he took on the trade of carpentry. He immigrated to the United States in 1961 and became naturalized in 1968.
Rocco retired from Vassar College, where he was a custodian, before Vassar he had worked for Schatz Bearing. Rocco’s life accomplishment was his dedication to his family. His wife and children knew him as a caring and loving man of faith. He was always there for his children and grandchildren, and he taught them to enjoy every moment life has to offer. Rocco was very proud of his children's and grandchildren's achievements, which he showed them by making special signs that were waiting for them when they came home. He was a jokester who, along with his brother Sisto, would tell the original “Dad” jokes that everyone would both laugh and groan about. He enjoyed playing on the Bocce Ball Leagues at the Italian Center where he had been a member for many years. Rocco was a faithful follower of Catholicism and a member of St. Mary’s Church.
Rocco’s relationship with Rosa, his wife of 57+ years, started when a friend’s sister visited New York and upon returning to Italy told Rosa of a young man she met who would like to correspond with Rosa. Over a year Rocco and Rosa exchanged many letters and pictures across the Atlantic. One of those letters from Rocco contained a proposal of marriage. Rosa accepted and came to the United States in April 1965, and they were married by August 1965.
Rocco was a good man, who adored his wife and family. He will be greatly missed, but we know that through his faith he has made it "Home”.
He leaves behind his wife Rosa (Esposito) Funiciello, children Lucy Ann, Patricia, and Pietro Luigi, grandchildren Jessica and Nick Ferdico, and sisters Filomena Carluccio (Pasquale) and Rosa Giammatteo (Antonio). Also, Rocco leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving friends including his devoted friend Rodolfo Guerriero.
Visitation will be held at the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY on Monday, April 24th from 4-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM in St. Mary's Church, 231 Church St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Lung Association, https://www.lung.org or the American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc. If you wish to send an online condolence, please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com
In Italy, Rocco’s childhood was heavily impacted by World War II. After he came of age, he took on the trade of carpentry. He immigrated to the United States in 1961 and became naturalized in 1968.
Rocco retired from Vassar College, where he was a custodian, before Vassar he had worked for Schatz Bearing. Rocco’s life accomplishment was his dedication to his family. His wife and children knew him as a caring and loving man of faith. He was always there for his children and grandchildren, and he taught them to enjoy every moment life has to offer. Rocco was very proud of his children's and grandchildren's achievements, which he showed them by making special signs that were waiting for them when they came home. He was a jokester who, along with his brother Sisto, would tell the original “Dad” jokes that everyone would both laugh and groan about. He enjoyed playing on the Bocce Ball Leagues at the Italian Center where he had been a member for many years. Rocco was a faithful follower of Catholicism and a member of St. Mary’s Church.
Rocco’s relationship with Rosa, his wife of 57+ years, started when a friend’s sister visited New York and upon returning to Italy told Rosa of a young man she met who would like to correspond with Rosa. Over a year Rocco and Rosa exchanged many letters and pictures across the Atlantic. One of those letters from Rocco contained a proposal of marriage. Rosa accepted and came to the United States in April 1965, and they were married by August 1965.
Rocco was a good man, who adored his wife and family. He will be greatly missed, but we know that through his faith he has made it "Home”.
He leaves behind his wife Rosa (Esposito) Funiciello, children Lucy Ann, Patricia, and Pietro Luigi, grandchildren Jessica and Nick Ferdico, and sisters Filomena Carluccio (Pasquale) and Rosa Giammatteo (Antonio). Also, Rocco leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving friends including his devoted friend Rodolfo Guerriero.
Visitation will be held at the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY on Monday, April 24th from 4-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM in St. Mary's Church, 231 Church St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Lung Association, https://www.lung.org or the American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc. If you wish to send an online condolence, please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com